January 29, 2012 9:58pm ESTJanuary 23, 2012 3:45pm ESTTim Thomas ditches a White House ceremony honoring the Stanley Cup champion Bruins. The Michigan native says the state of affairs in D.C. is the reason.

Staff report

Published on Jan. 23, 2012 | Updated on Jan. 29, 2012

Jan. 23, 2012

The NHL champion Boston Bruins were honored Monday at the White House. It appears a grand time was had by all. Well, almost all.

Tim Thomas, the team’s goaltender and Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the most valuable player in the team’s Stanley Cup run, was a no-show.

Thomas, in a post on his Facebook page, said he chose not to attend in response to what he considers dangerous overreach by Washington. He insisted that this was not a partisan issue, nor did he single out President Barack Obama, who hosted the event.

Thomas' statement, in full:

"I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People.

This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.

Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.

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Club general manager Peter Chiarelli said attendance was not mandatory.

"We're like a family. We have our issues," Chiarelli told reporters. "You deal with them, move on, and try and support everyone."

Chiarelli was asked if Thomas’ absence would be a distraction.

“It may or may not,” Chiarelli said. "If it does, I hope it doesn't. The guys seemed to enjoy it. I enjoyed it."

Chiarelli added that Thomas would not miss any games for staying home.

"I can require someone to attend a team event," Chiarelli said. "If they don't, I can suspend him. I'm not suspending Tim. Whatever his position is, it isn't reflective of the Boston Bruins nor my own. But I'm not suspending him."

The NHL, through deputy commissioner Bill Daly, also weighed in on Thomas' decision.

"While we do not agree with Tim Thomas' position, the National Hockey League respects and supports his right to have a political view, and his right to express that view in the manner in which he chose," Daly said, according to NHL.com.

Thomas, one of two Americans on the Bruins' title team, was in goal for all of the Bruins’ 25 playoff games, winning 16. He had a .940 save percentage and allowed 1.98 goals per game. He was the difference for the Bruins, who set an NHL postseason record with three seven-game series wins in one postseason. They won the Stanley Cup by overcoming a 3-2 deficit in games to the Vancouver Canucks. Thomas shut out the Canucks 4-0 in Vancouver in Game 7.

Thomas is 20-9 this season as the Bruins are 31-13 and first in the Northeast Division with 64 points, tied for second most in the league.

FROM SI:

"I am happy to welcome the Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins to the White House," said Obama, who was presented a No. 11 Bruins jersey. "I'm sure they are wicked happy to be here."

The president even poked fun at Bruins bad boy Brad Marchand, who was a rookie last year and came up big for the Bruins in the playoffs. A left winger, Marchand scored 11 goals and added eight assists.

"The Little Ball of Hate shrugged off the rookie jitters," Obama said before turning to Marchand. "What's up with that nickname, man?"

"I guess if the President of the United States gives you a nickname you have to stick with it" Marchand said on Twitter.